Shadow of the Demon Lord

There’s dark fantasy, then there’s Shadow of the Demon Lord. It was designed both as an homage to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and as a streamlined system that would support shorter, lower-prep campaigns.

Players can take the role of Changelings, Clockworks, Dwarfs, Goblins, Humans, or Orcs. As they become more capable, they can move beyond an initial novice path (Magician, Priest, Rogue, or Warrior) to an expert class (Assassin, Oracle, Sorcerer, and more), and finally to a master path (Avenger, Engineer, Hydromancer, Templar, Woodwose, and many, many more), taking on vile creatures such as Demons, Hell Swine, Wraiths, and more.

Here’s how the publisher describes Shadow of the Demon Lord:

Sometimes the world needs heroes. But in the desperation of these last days, the world will take anyone it can get: heroes, blackguards, madmen, and whoever else is willing to stand against the coming darkness. Will you fight the demons or will you burn it all down and dance among the ashes? Who will you become when the world dies?

Three Things About Shadow of the Demon Lord

Grim metaplot: These are dark times – the Demon Lord’s shadow grows across the land, and unspeakable horrors roam the earth. Nothing less than the fate of the world is at stake.

Insanity and corruption: As befits a game of grim fantasy, there are rules for the insanity brought about by witnessing foul deeds, and corruption engendered by participating in them.

Designed for a dozen-session campaign: The game’s character progression is deliberately swift, and campaigns are intended to last for about twelve sessions.